Emotional tribute to fallen NZ troops in Korean War

Published: 12:31PM Sunday July 28, 2013 Source: Fairfax

An emotional tribute has been paid today in South Korea to remember the New Zealand men who died in battle.

Kiwi veterans and Prime Minister John Key took a three-hour bullet train from Seoul to Busan to lay poppies for their comrades who died in the Korean War.

Of the 45 New Zealand troops killed in the Korean War, 34 are buried here.

For Jim Nielson, the visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan was personal. He told ONE News Deputy Political Editor Jesica Mutch, who is in South Korea with the group, that his best friend, Len Murray, who was just 23 when he died, is buried there.

Originally 11,000 soldiers were buried at the memorial cemetery, but over the years countries like Greece and Thailand have chosen to repatriate their fallen troops. New Zealand and Australia have chosen to keep their soldiers buried in Korea.

Now around 2300 graves remain, with soldiers from 11 countries. Today those men were described as freedom warriors.

During the memorial service today there was a special Kiwi tribute, with a Maori call.

Mr Key reminded those gathered why New Zealanders made the ultimate sacrifice.

"Their efforts made it possible for the people of the Republic of Korea to enjoy the freedoms and quality of life they have today," he said.

The commemorations mark 60 years since the ceasing of hostilities in the Korean War.

The veterans, who arrived on Wednesday night have been taking part in commemorations and have visited the demilitarised zone, but today's trip will have taken them into areas they were more likely to have fought in.

New Zealand was one of the first countries to answer a UN call to assist South Korea, following a surprise attack by China-backed North Korea in 1950. Around 6000 Kiwi troops took part in the war between 1950 and 1953.

This week's trip coincides with ceremonies to mark 60 years since the two sides signed an armistice, with the Korean Peninsula still technically in a state of war.

Meanwhile, Key this morning declined to offer any further comment on an incident which took place after he took part in an official ceremony to mark the armistice at the Nation War Memorial in Seoul.

A man drove a vehicle, which had pictures or signs of John Key's name taped to the windows, into the back of a bus near where the ceremony took place.

There have been reports that the man's vehicle was packed with gas canisters, however footage of the incident on Korean television made no mention of this.

The ceremony had high levels of security. At least eight members of the New Zealand media were inside the security cordon at the time, however none noticed it was taking place until eye witness accounts emerged. Security forces gave no indication that there was a risk of explosion and there was no sign that anyone was evacuated.

Mr Key revealed yesterday that the man behind the attack was a disgruntled investor, who about a month ago staged a silent, peaceful protest outside the New Zealand Embassy in Seoul.

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Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/emotional-tribute-fallen-nz-troops-in-korean-war-5520662?ref=rss

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